José Ramón Alexanko Ventosa (born 5 May 1956 in Barakaldo, Biscay), also referred to as Alesanco or Alexanco, is a former Spanish footballer and manager.

During his career, the central defender played with success for both Athletic Bilbao and FC Barcelona, winning several accolades for the latter (16 in total).

[edit] Club career

[edit] Athletic Bilbao

Alexanko joined Athletic Bilbao's youth system in 1972, then served an unassuming loan with Basque neighbours Deportivo Alavés - second division - and returned subsequently; he made his first division debut on December 12, 1976, in a 5–2 home win against RCD Español.

An undisputed starter from his second season onwards, Alexanko's highlights at Athletic were winning two runners-up medals; one in the Spanish Cup and one in the UEFA Cup, both in 1977. Among his teammates were veterans José Ángel Iribar and Javier Irureta.

[edit] FC Barcelona

In 1980, Alexanko signed for FC Barcelona, paving the way for a number of fellow Basque players including Andoni Zubizarreta, Txiki Begiristain, Julio Salinas, Ion Andoni Goikoetxea and José Mari Bakero. With Alexanko as captain, they formed the backbone of the legendary Dream Team, which won four consecutive league championships.

Among his personal highlights during his 13 seasons at the Catalan side, Alexanko scored the winning goal as Barcelona beat Real Sociedad 1–0 in the 1988 King's Cup, also playing about ten minutes in the 1992 European Cup final; six years earlier, he had his penalty shootout attempt saved by FC Steaua Bucureşti's Helmuth Duckadam, as Barça lost the 1986 edition in Seville.

After retiring as a player in 1993, Alexanko started a coaching career, in Romania, as he managed FC Universitatea Craiova and FC Naţional Bucureşti. In 2000, he returned to Barcelona, assisting head coach Carles Rexach (his teammate in the striker's last season).

In July 2005, Alexanko was named the club's youth system coordinator.^[1]

[edit] Controversy

In 1988, as Barcelona were immerse in its preseason in the Netherlands, Alexanco was accused of raping a maid in a hotel at Papendal, but eventually all charges were dropped.^[2]

[edit] International career

Alexanko made his debut for Spain on November 15, 1978, playing in the 1–0 home win against Romania, for the 1980 European Championship qualifiers.

He represented the nation at both UEFA Euro 1980 and the 1982 FIFA World Cup, retiring from international play at only 26, after the second group stage draw against England, with a total of 34 caps; he also played one game for the Euskadi XI, in 1979.

[edit] Honours

[edit] Player

• Athletic Bilbao:
  • UEFA Cup: Runner-up 1976–77
  • Spanish Cup: Runner-up 1976–77

• Barcelona:
  • European Cup: 1991–92
  • UEFA Cup Winners' Cup: 1981–82, 1988–89
  • UEFA Super Cup: 1992
  • Spanish League: 1984–85, 1990–91, 1991–92, 1992–93
  • Spanish Cup: 1980–81, 1982–1983, 1987–88, 1989–90
  • Spanish Supercup: 1983, 1991, 1992
  • Spanish League Cup: 1982–83, 1985–86

[edit] Manager

• Universitatea Craiova:
  • Romanian Cup: Runner-up 1997–98

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• BDFutbol profile
• National team data (Spanish)
• José Ramón Alexanko FIFA competition record

José Ramón Alexanko - Navigation boxes and achievements v • d • e Spain squad – UEFA Euro 1980 1 Arconada • 2 Alexanko • 3 Migueli • 4 Diego • 5 Uría • 6 Asensi • 7 Dani • 8 Cardeñosa • 9 Carrasco • 10 Quini • 11 del Bosque • 12 Juanito • 13 Urruti • 14 Gordillo • 15 Olmo • 16 Santillana • 17 Satrústegui • 18 Saura • 19 Cundi • 20 Tendillo • 21 Zamora • 22 Artola • Coach: Kubala v • d • e Spain squad – 1982 FIFA World Cup 1 Arconada • 2 Camacho • 3 Gordillo • 4 Alonso • 5 Tendillo • 6 Alexanko • 7 Juanito • 8 Joaquín • 9 Satrústegui • 10 Zamora • 11 López Ufarte • 12 Urquiaga • 13 Jiménez • 14 Maceda • 15 Saura • 16 Sánchez • 17 Gallego • 18 Uralde • 19 Santillana • 20 Quini • 21 Urruti • 22 Miguel Ángel • Coach: Santamaría